The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

Markandeya continued, “Thus anointed by Indra
and all other gods, and honoured by the Maharshis,
he looked grand at the moment. The golden umbrella[77]
held (over his head) looked like a halo of blazing
fire. That famous god, the Conqueror of Tripura,
himself fastened the celestial wreath of gold, of
Viswakarma’s manufacture, round his neck.
And, O great man and conqueror of thine enemies, that
worshipful god with the emblem of the bull, had gone
there previously with Parvati. He honoured him
with a joyous heart. The Fire-god is called Rudra
by Brahmanas, and from this fact Skanda is called
the son of Rudra. The White Mountain was formed
from discharges of Rudra’s semen virile and the
sensual indulgences of the Fire-god with the Krittikas
took place on that same White Mountain. And as
Rudra was seen by all the dwellers of heaven to heap
honours on the excellent Guha (Skanda), he was for
that reason reputed as the son of Rudra. This
child had his being by the action of Rudra entering
into the constitution of the Fire-god, and for this
reason, Skanda came to be known as the son of Rudra.
And, O Bharata, as Rudra, the Fire-god, Swaha, and
the six wives (of the seven Rishis) were instrumental
to the birth of the great god Skanda, he was for that
reason reputed as the son of Rudra.

“That son of Fire-god was clad in a pair of
clean red cloths, and thus he looked grand and resplendent
like the Sun peeping forth from behind a mass of red
clouds. And the red cock given to him by the Fire-god,
formed his ensign; and when perched on the top of
his chariot, it looked like the image of the all-destroying
fire. And the presiding deity of the power which
conduces to the victory of the god, and which is the
director of the exertions of all creatures, and constitutes
their glory, prop and refuge, advanced before him.
And a mysterious charm entered into his constitution
the charm which manifests its powers on the battlefield.
Beauty, strength, piety, power, might, truthfulness,
rectitude, devotion to Brahmanas, freedom from illusion
or perplexity, protection of followers, destruction
of foes, and care of all creatures,—­these,
O lord of men, are the inborn virtues of Skanda.
Thus anointed by all the gods, he looked pleased and
complacent; and dressed in his best style, he looked
beautiful like the moon at its full. The much-esteemed
incantation of Vedic hymns, the music of the celestial
band, and the songs of gods and Gandharvas then rang
on all sides. And surrounded by all the well-dressed
Apsaras, and many other gay and happy-looking Pisachas
and hosts of gods, that anointed (by gods) son of
Pavaka disported himself in all his grandeur.
To the dwellers of heaven, the anointed Mahasena,
appeared like the Sun rising after extinction of darkness.
And then the celestial forces looking upon him as
their leader, surrounded him on all sides in thousands.
That adorable being followed by all creatures then
assumed their commands, and praised and honoured by
them, he encouraged them in return.